Lockheed Martin hands over first C-130J-30 to Indonesia

The first C-130J-30 ordered by Jakarta is expected to arrive in Indonesia on 6 March. (Lockheed Martin/Thinh D Nguyen)

Lockheed Martin has handed over the first of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).

In a press statement, the company said that the aircraft was delivered to the TNI-AU at its Marietta factory in Georgia on 21 February. The TNI-AU said in its official social media account that the aircraft (serial number A-1339) was received by the Chief of Staff of the TNI-AU, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo.

The TNI-AU added that the aircraft will depart from the United States on 28 February. It is expected to arrive in Indonesia on 6 March. “Three TNI-AU personnel will be accompanied on the flight,” the air force said.

The aircraft, which was delivered in a low-observable grey scheme, differs from the standard camouflage colour scheme employed by the TNI-AU's C-130 fleet. The aircraft was also shown with the emblem of the TNI-AU's Air Squadron 31.

According to Lockheed Martin, the new C-130J-30s will enhance the capabilities of the TNI-AU. The “C-130J-30s offer increased cargo capacity, speed, range, power, performance, and lower operating costs over legacy C-130s to support the [TNI-AU's] wide range of mission requirements for decades to come”, the company said.

According to information previously published by Lockheed Martin, the C-130J can achieve its initial cruising altitude of 26,000 ft in under 14 minutes. In contrast, the air force's earlier-generation C-130Hs require 22 minutes to achieve their initial cruising altitude of 23,000 ft. The C-130J requires a take-off length of 1,950 ft, compared with 3,000 ft required by the C-130H.